KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 26

A Nepali Sherpa and a German national, who completed a 60-day-long adventure along the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), said that they were enthralled by the natural beauty of the Himalayan nation.

Ralf Michael Weger from Germany and Pasang Tshering Sherpa from Solukhumbu embarked on a journey along the GHT on September 19.

“We spent 60 days on the trail after completing the east part of the GHT,” Sherpa, a three-time Everest summiteer, shared after arriving here from Sindhupalchowk today.Sherpa guided Weger, 57, on the trail as Kathmandu-based Thamserku Trekking organised the hike namely ‘Amical GHT East Trek’. Sherpa has authoured several books and held different positions in mountaineering related organizations. Sherpa has also been involved in different social and philanthropic activities.

“Sixty days on the GHT were a great experience while we trekked the four sections – Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest and Rolwaling,” said Weger, who is the professional adventurer with Germany-based Amical Alpin.

According to them, the most impressive and also challenging part of the adventure is the variability of the trek. “Well maintained trails in Khumbu areas to hardly visible trails in some remote areas made our journey very exciting as well as challenging,” Sherpa, the second Nepali to scale K2 in 2001, recounted.

“Yes, we had an easy walk one day and the need for ropes and crampons on another day,” Weger added.

“Being alone for weeks and among lots of other trekkers in other regions as well as camping above 5,000 metres on glaciers or staying in comfortable lodges still triggered our mind,” they shared.

Weger said that they felt very lucky to be on the trail while being invited for a cup of tea by Yak herdsmen and sitting around the oven with other trekkers. “It should be remembered of witnessing weeks of rain and crossing the muddy trails at the beginning and having perfect weather with blue sky in the high regions – the great landscape and the high summits so close,” Weger recounted.

With the trek beginning from Khade Bhanjyang of Kanchenjunga in Taplejung, they crossed different passes including Selele Pass (4,480m), Nango La Pass (4,776m), Luma Sumba Pass (5,159m), Sherpani Pass (6,180m) and Chola Pass (5,420m) in the Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Everest region, Sherpa, who has also authored various books, said.

The GHT is one of the longest and most difficult trails worldwide. At some sections, it reaches a height of above 6,000 metres. At the same time, the path is also a lifeline for millions of people and an age-old, increasingly endangered trade route.

“We managed to visit nine different districts along the trail and Pasang’s guiding skill was remarkable,” Weger said.

“It was a very exciting adventure on GHT and everyone could feel a difference,” Sherpa, who also summitted Mt Shishapangma thrice and Cho Oyu five times, added. “We returned with an unforgettable 60 days of a rich mixture of diverse cultures, dozens of mountain passes and haunting mountain scenery.”

“All this was only possible with the great support of German agency Amical, their Nepali partner Thamserku and the most important – the guide Pasang Tshering and complete crew with the cook and the porters,” Weger said. “So I would say: A once-in-a-lifetime experience – but there is the remaining part to the far west waiting for us and we are curious to see and walk this part, too anytime soon.”